Japanese Horror Visual Aesthetics

Who is Kinji Fukasaku? 

Kinji Fukasaku was an influential Japanese Director who rose to fame in the Japanese Film industry with his gore infused ‘Yakuza’ films such as Battle without Honor or Humanity (1973).   Fukasaku's films centered around crime dramas and gore which scocked viewers and critics alike. Fukasaku achieved international fame with his 2000 smash hit Battle Royale (2000), which famously depicted a brawl to the death between 42 junior high school students. The film was so successful that a new subgenre of "Battle" movies was created to capitalize on its success.  Fukasaku ultimately created a follow-up with Battle Royale 2: Requiem (2003), but passed way before he could finish the film. Filming was completed by his son Kenta Fukasaku in honor of his father and the film was realsed in 2003. (Buchanan, Frandago)

Fukasaku's Biggest Hit: Battle Royale

Set in a distopian Japan, 42 junior high schools are abducted by the government and forced to fight to the death until once sole survivor emerges as punishment for the youths' increasingly destructive behavior.  Watch the trailer for Kinji Fukasaku's Battle Royale (2000). 

Mark Schilling's Take on the Violence of Battle Royale

In this review Schilling describes the controversy that surrounds Kinji Fukasaku’s Battle Royale franchise  and the outcry from Japanese Government Officials due to the film's depiction of children killing children for sport.  

"[Paraliment] members and the minister of education publicly voiced alarm [about the film], while Eliren - the film industry censorship body - slapped an R-15 rating on the film, which meant that the kids the same ag as its 15-year-old protagonists were banned from seeing it." - Mark Schilling

The Battle Royale Franchise in Kinji Fukasaku's Own Words

Other Popular Films by Kinji Fukasaku